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PhD Social Science and Health (SSH)
Thesis
Proposal
These guidelines address only the broadest parameters of the
structure of a research proposal. The thesis proposal must be
reviewed and approved by the Thesis Committee before a student
may proceed.
Proposal components
Title Page – student’s full name, proposed title
of thesis, date, degree sought, department, university and
names of the committee members
Abstract – One page maximum (350 words), briefly
summarizing the purpose and objectives of the proposed
research, its significance, theoretical and methodological
location, and the primary research design components.
Problem Statement and Research Questions
- A clear and concise statement of the research problem or
issue and an indication of why it is important; problem may
be theoretical/methodological (e.g., a conceptual issue)
and/or substantive (e.g., a particular health or health care
issue); clear statement of what is included and what is left
out in formulating the research problem/question.
- A clear statement of the research purpose and central
research question, and an appropriate rationale and
justification for formulating it this way.
- The project objectives (or several sub-questions) and
how these relate to the overall purpose of the research.
- The significance of the study, including contribution to
theory, method and/or practice.
Theoretical Approach
- An outline of the theory or theories (e.g., social
constructionism, postmodernism, feminist, political economy,
etc.) that guides all aspects of the proposed research
(research questions, literature review and research design),
and how the proposed study will test, extend, refine or
otherwise relate to existing theory.
Review of Related Research
- Recent literature in both substantive content and
methods should be reviewed, including (where appropriate)
both primary and secondary sources. A rationale for the
literature search should be provided, as well as, in some
cases, the specifics of the search strategy.
- A critical review of the empirical or other relevant
literature in which the student reflects on and evaluates
it, and clearly relates it to the proposed research. In
particular, this section of the proposal should point to
areas overlooked or inadequately addressed by past studies,
and discuss how the proposed study will address these
deficiencies and make a unique contribution to the
literature.
Research Design
Research Sample
- How will research respondents be recruited (in the case
of primary data collection) or how will documentary and
other evidence be selected (in the case of secondary data)?
Justify and demonstrate the feasibility of acquiring the
data as anticipated.
- The rationale underlying the particular choice of
respondents and/or documents (e.g., why a particular group
and not another).
- Justify the anticipated sample size and its
representativeness (where appropriate). For example, how
many documents, interviews, focus groups will be
consulted/undertaken and why?
Data Collection
- Data collection procedures (e.g., surveys, documents,
interviews) and tools (e.g., questionnaire, interview guide,
selection of written materials).
- Appropriateness of the proposed data collection to the
objectives of the research.
- Validation of measurement instruments (e.g., Have
instruments been validated? How and with what results?)
- Sources of bias (e.g., influence of interviewer, type of
questions), and, where appropriate, means to reduce them.
Data Analysis Procedures
- What analysis procedures will be used?
- How are the analysis procedures consistent with the
objectives, design and data collection methods described
elsewhere in the proposal?
- How (if appropriate) will different types of data be
combined?
- Procedures for substantiating the rigor of the research
process:
- Quantitative: e.g., validity, reliability,
generalization
- Qualitative: e.g., trustworthiness, authenticity or
other concepts of validity relevant to qualitative
research
Suggested References
- Creswell, J.W. (1994). Research Design: Qualitative and
Quantitative Approaches. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
- Krathwohl, D.R. (1988). How to Prepare A Research
Proposal: Guidelines for Funding and Dissertations in the
Social and Behavioural Sciences. Syracuse, NY: Syracuse
University Press.
- Marshall, C., and Rossman, G.B. (1995). Designing
Qualitative Research (2nd Ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
- Becker, H. (1986). Writing for Social Scientists: How to
Start and Finish your Thesis, Book or Article. Chicago:
University of Chicago Press.
Ethics Review and Ethical Considerations
Students must submit an Ethics Protocol to the Office of
Research Services (ORS) for ethical review for proposals
involving human subjects, including those that will use
secondary data (see [hot link to ethics review]).
Guidelines on the Use of Human Subjects, may be obtained from
the Office of Research Services, Simcoe Hall, University of
Toronto. For up-to-date information and forms see
http://www.library.utoronto.ca/rir/
Prepare Ethics Protocol
Compile the ethics protocol in accordance with the
guidelines, including a research plan with a detailed
outline of stages and tasks with anticipated dates of
completion. Copies of the research instruments, letters of
introduction to participants, consent forms, etc should be
included in an appendix.
Be sure to check the ethics guidelines for information on
Standing Committees, to determine if the protocol must pass
review by a specific Standing Committee. Each Standing
Committees has its additional/unique requirements.
Submission of Ethical Protocol
All required copies of the ethics form and protocol must
be submitted to the Office of Research Services in Simcoe
Hall. Research funded by granting agencies must next be may
need to be submitted to the Faculty of Medicine Research
Office, located on the main floor of the Fitzgerald
building. Protocols for research not funded by a granting
agency can proceed directly to the Office of Research
Services. Check with the Faculty Research Office regarding
specifics.
Please note the application should be submitted under
your supervisor’s name.
Review Process
The Ethics Review Committee meets at regular intervals
throughout the year, so students should cheek with the
Office of Research Services for the meeting schedule and
plan submission of their Ethics Protocol accordingly. Ethics
can take up to 8-weeks since revisions are often required.
Thesis/Dissertation
The PhD dissertation must demonstrate an original contribution to
scholarship. The nature of the dissertation is agreed upon by the
supervisor and the student, in consultation with a Thesis Committee.
The Thesis Committee, generally formed after the basic topic has
been selected, must consist of, in addition to the supervisor, two
faculty members with full membership in SGS and common interests and
willingness to be a committee member. Generally the supervisor makes
the final formal approach to prospective committee members,
confirming their willingness to serve, and formalizing arrangements.
The thesis committee should meet regularly (at least every six
months).
PhD Oral Examination
Arrangements for the PhD Oral Defence and for the preparation of
the final thesis are given at length in the SGS calendar. The
dissertation and the necessary documents must be submitted at least
eight weeks prior to the oral exam. See the Graduate Department of
Public Health Sciences forms and information for thesis preparation
and defence
Social & Behavioural Health Sciences Main Page
PhD SSH
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